HGTV Design Star

Design Star Season 7: Photo Highlights From Episode 5

This week: The final seven Design Star hopefuls outfit a gala in honor of Hollywood's 125th birthday with lounges celebrating iconic design styles.

Open Gallery

65 Photos

The Final Seven

In honor of Hollywood's 125th birthday, host David Bromstad challenges the designers to create lounges inspired by iconic design styles for a Hollywood Chamber of Commerce event. One problem: The event is tomorrow! The designers have less than two days to create their space and prepare a speech about their style.

After: Britany's High-Style Lounge

Graphic Accents

Paneled doors with white accents are placed at the front and back of Britany's lounge to give the room added depth.

High-Gloss Style

A bright chrome chandelier adds shine to the room.

Tile on a Dime

Britany painted the floor to mimic the look of classic black-and-white marble tile.

The Perfect Chairs

Tufted-leather club chairs and a coordinating Chesterfield sofa provide ample seating for party guests.

A Feminine Touch

Geometric details on the sides of this curvy coffee table echo the squares featured on the wall panels.

Full Circle

Judge Genevieve Gorder praises Britany's accessory choices, along with her selection of this circular bookcase with geometric detailing.

Finishing Touches

Floral arrangements and silver accessories finish this space.

Almost on Top

The judges love Britany's space: The room includes all the graphic nature she's known for, but it's also more sophisticated, judge Vern Yip says. Britany narrowly misses a win this week.

Danielle: Art Deco

Danielle jokes that the design gods are smiling on her as she draws the art deco card. Characterized by geometric designs, rich colors and the use of plastic and glass, art deco style was popular in the 1930s and 1940s.

Danielle Does Deco

After: Parisian Jazz Lounge

This Paris-inspired lounge features lots of glossy black pieces with peach and white accents.

Geometric Floor

Danielle used painter's tape and a thin layer of light peach paint to create this triangular floor pattern evocative of art deco style.

Art of the Era

A French theater print from the 1920s adds historical charm to this space.

Fierce Focal Point

Danielle's best antique shop find this week? A glossy panther parked in the front of this space.

Shell Screen

Tiered, symmetrical designs — like the spire of the New York City's Chrysler Building — are a staple of art deco style. This shell-inspired screen makes a bold backdrop for the sofa.

Artful Illumination

This statue, a favorite of judge Vern Yip, doubles as a light source.

This Week's Winner

Danielle wows the judges with her professional, polished space and solid presentation. They name her this week's winner!

Hilari: The 1980s

The '80s were known for lots of things — neon, spandex, punk rock — but good design isn't necessarily one of them. Still, Hilari is tasked with creating a tasteful take on the bright and bold era.

Spandex Rug

Sure, spandex is great for leggings, but Hilari decides to use it for something new: a handwoven area rug.

Time for Plan B

When Hilari's spandex rug is an utter failure, she opts for a painted floor with a block pattern inspired by Piet Mondrian's iconic paintings.

After: Welcome to 1980

Hilari rocks the 1980s in her space with bright hues and fun accessories.

PVC Pipe Walls

Hilari uses PVC pipes and chains to create partial walls for this lounge. Grommet-studded leather bands on the pipe ends are a subtle salute to the era's punk rock scene.

Reflective Surfaces

This reflective coffee table is a stylish way to reinterpret the infamous '80s mirrored wall.

Neon Lights

Round pendants in electric blue and green create a party atmosphere in the lounge.

Retro Seating

A curvy white sofa contrasts the floor's bright hues.

Hilari's Safe Again

Hilari made '80s design look good, which was no small feat. The judges especially liked the Mondrian floor and the other small details that made this space special. She's safe again this week.

Kris: 1970s

Kris's design mission: create a 1970s-inspired room that doesn't look like something that needs to be remodeled.

Disco Days

Kris decides to bring together what he views as the best representations of the 1970s: disco, innovation and bold furniture colors and textures.

After: Kris' '70s Basement

Kris finds some great individual pieces, but they look crowded together without a thread connecting it all.

'70s Workroom

This desk nook is one of the one bright spots for the judges in Kris' design. The bold orange typewriter stands out against the mirrored desk, and a lava lamp is playfully used as a flower vase.

Too Much of a Good Thing

Furniture from the 1970s was bold, low-slung and curvy. Wood paneling is also a hallmark of the era. Kris nails the decade's character but falls short on styling the room.

Iconic Design

Designer Eero Aarnio created the iconic bubble chair as a study in less-is-more furnishings. Kris is excited to include this well-known hanging piece, but he hangs it too high for anyone of average height to sit in.

Groovy Accents

You can't design a 1970s room without a lava lamp or two, like this blue model.

Shag Carpet

This orange leather sofa is parked atop another hallmark of the 1970s: shag carpet!

Kris, It's Time to Go

A no-personality camera challenge plus a too-literal room made the judges send Kris packing this week. See what he has to say about his elimination.

Mikel: Midcentury Modern

Midcentury modern rooms are characterized by their clean, simple lines, warm wood tones and natural elements. Set designer Mikel must re-create the look in a cocktail lounge.

Mikel's Take on Midcentury

Mikel's game plan: create a room that displays minimalism at its finest, like a chic Hollywood Hills house with a sleek fireplace.

After: Midcentury Lounge

When he decides the back wall is too bare, Mikel makes a last-minute decision to hang an oversized painting that evokes the colorful abstract expressionism of painter Mark Rothko. The downside: He covers his fireplace focal point.

Classic Pieces

Mikel includes an iconic Barcelona chair, a fixture of midcentury interiors designed by Mies van der Rohe.

Sputnik Chandelier

Inspired by the Russian Sputnik satellites in the 1950s and early 1960s, Dutch designer Paul de Haan created this classic shape. Both 1950s originals and reproductions are defined by a metal ball in center and rods with lighted ends jutting out from it.

High-Gloss Accessory

An abstract silver accent adds a bit of shine to this space.

Wood + White

Manufacturing innovations in the 1950s and 1960s meant that molded woods, like this sofa's arms, became much more prominent in designs. Mikel pairs the white sofa with a marble Saarinen tulip side table and monochromatic white drapes.

Mikel in the Middle

Mikel's space is inviting, but the judges think it feels unfinished; Genevieve suggests adding layers of different whites for a more cohesive feel. Despite a few missteps, Mikel is safe this week.

Rachel: Victorian

Rachel draws the Victorian card for this themed lounge challenge. This rich style popular in the mid-1800s is defined by rich fabrics, dark colors, velvets and layered accessories.

Rachel's Victorian Concept

After struggling for inspiration, Rachel decides to do a modern interpretation of Victorian with black, white and vintage accents.

After: Victorian Lounge

A scalloped window allows guests to peer into Rachel's modern — if disjointed — take on Victorian style. The floor's faux "tufting" is a nod to the furniture of the era.